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Bravo, James.

Another great excuse for me to spend time on  your site, listening to your songs!

Well done.

My guess at the "Top 5" churches, based solely on recognizability (in the US):

1-Catholic
2-Baptist/Methodist/Etc. (All protestant churches)
3-Mormon
4-Jehova's Witnesses
5-Agnostic and/or Atheists

Above list is purely a guess based on my limited perspective and subjective opinion.

About the banning of songs:

In the US there was a time when the religious right made a lot of policy decisions. Songs, books, movies, and any other art form deemed "offensive" or "obscene" was apt to be banned from airwaves, as well as from the store shelves. From what I understand, this banning was a very subjective process based on the opinion of the legislator. (i.e. Senator/Congressman/other elected official).  The statement was made by a Senator (I think) during the Larry Flynt obscenity hearings that "I cannot give you a definition of obscenity, but I know it when I see it."

While I do not think this is what a forward-thinking leader of the world should be doing, those doing it were elected, and often re-elected, by our democratic system. The answer is not to burn their house down, but to vote for the other guy/gal.

Today, we don't ban records or movies or books, but, instead, put lables on them saying "Explicit lyrics", and most songs are released in two versions - "Explicit" and "Radio Edit", which has all the naughty bits removed (ouch! ). Since the days of rampant bannings, we have developed a rating system for movies and, more recently, TV shows so that parents know what movies and programs are appropriate for their children. These rating systems seem to have removed some of the burden of responsibility from the production companies, and much racier programming has been showing up on TV lately (over the last five years or so).

And I haven't heard of a book or album burning in quite a long while. I think I would view something like that in much the same vain as a Witch Trial.

Just my opinions. I certainly do not speak for anyone other than myself.

Man, Doc, you sure pose some interesting questions!

I always thought of "battle music" as a fife and drum corps (American Revolution). As a former Marine, I know that the drum beat will help keep platoons within a company in step with each other - gives a multi-platoon formation a unified count on which to step.

During combat the methodical operation of loading a musket could be kept up to speed by rythmic drum beats, and I would imagine that the playing of inspirational songs would motivate the men during combat. I would liken it to a modern-day warfighter playing some AC/DC, or the Rocky theme through an IPod while they are on manuvers, although that may interfere with comms?

I don't have any knowledge of the banning of songs or bands, but am horrified to think that it was actually done.

Thanks, Roger and Arkady...

I agree, I definitely feel the need to strum this one.

I'll try your technique, Roger.

I guess that means I'll be up late tonight! 

I appreciate the input!

If anyone would like to record it, please feel free. I plan to have it on my site sometime this week.

Sweet Home Alabama always gets me started after a departure... nice, and easy, and gets the blood pumping.

I'll have to investigate this Paolo guy...

Drummers!

Hey, slaya.

I wanted to give you a response like Russell did, but I think I know where you are coming from on this one.

Instant feedback feels good, and it is nice to get kudos from fellow musicians, especially when you think you are progressing faster than others.

What I have found, though, is that people (especially family and friends) soon get tired of hearing you play then asking "how was that?". They also don't want to be reminded of how quickly you are learning. If they are interested enough to listen to you play, they will most likely be forgiving of any mistakes (if they even notice them) and very approving of real progress. Just let them soak it in, and don't try to beat it into them.

This was hard for me at first, but I have gotten to the point where I will leave my guitar in the case for a while until someone asks me to play. If no one does, I find a corner and play quietly to myself.

The best feedback I get is after I have been playing for ten minutes or so looking up and seeing a bunch of people standing around listening. Then I ramp it up a little!   Then you know the ones who are listening are doing so because they want to, not because you are forcing it on them.

And I try to keep in mind that I am playing for myself, and trying to share my music with friends. Skill is far less important than heart. (listen to the songs on my webpage, and you will understand that I am doing this for me, and not to impress anyone - skill is certainly not my strong suit! ). That makes it much more enjoyable.

If your self esteem, or your estimation of your own skills, are dependent on others, they will, eventually, let you down, because you don't control them. All you control are your own actions and your own attitudes.

And it sounds like you are progressing nicely. You might want to apply the discipline to learn a few songs all the way through, though, if you intend to play for others. There are only so many solos people can listen to, most want to hear a song they recognize and can sing along with.

Rock on!

It has always fascinated me that, regardless of how we are treated, love dies hard, especially for a parent.

I'm sure Roger would be happy to help out, though, Zurf.  He seems like a pretty nice guy.

You know, TD, I never considered the inebriation factor.

I'm guessing after a Wild Turkey or twelve, I could use a ping-pong paddle for a pick and it wouldn't make any difference - much easier to hold onto, and less likely to fall into the hole!

(and what better way to tell where your fingers have been than by taste? That's my "go-to" mnemonic device when the wife asks me where I've been!)

I am not looking forward to my Bug leaving the nest. That has to be the scariest thing a grown man can face.

I guess all we can do is try to teach them right, and let them know they always have a home.

Man, Jets... You hit all the bases with this one.

I really like the arrangement, too. The lyrics are true to the heart. I particularly liked the part about creating life.

No kidding, huh? 

Great job.